🎙️ 代表作 Vol.038: What New Trends Are Hidden Behind Xiaohongshu's Replacement of Slogan?
From "Life Guide" to "Life Interest Community": Decoding Xiaohongshu's Marketing Evolution and Business Opportunities for 2025
Vol.038:小红书换slogan的背后,藏着哪些新趋势?
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One-Sentence Takeaway
Xiaohongshu's evolution from "Your Life Guide" to "Your Life Interest Community" signals a fundamental shift toward human-feeling marketing, employee advocacy, and co-creation, revealing new business opportunities for those who understand the platform's emphasis on authentic connection and emotional resonance.
Brief Summary
In this insightful episode of 代表作 (Representative Works), host Judy interviews CC, founder of Zhuo'er Shuke and a top strategist who has worked with over 6,000 brands, to decode the significance behind Xiaohongshu's recent slogan change from "Your Life Guide" to "Your Life Interest Community." The conversation explores how this shift reflects deeper changes in the platform's direction and what it means for brands, creators, and businesses looking to succeed on Xiaohongshu in 2025.
CC breaks down the four levels of brand marketing strategies on the platform, introduces the concept of "human-feeling marketing" (人感营销), and reveals emerging trends including the rise of employee advocacy (KS - Key Staff) as a powerful marketing channel. The discussion highlights three fast-growing sectors: children's outdoor clothing, crystal and jewelry accessories, and life services for local businesses.
Throughout the episode, CC emphasizes that there's no single "magic formula" for success on Xiaohongshu, but rather a need for brands to match their strategies to their specific lifecycle stage and competitive advantages. She shares the 2025 success formula of combining good products, good content, and good bloggers, while stressing the importance of starting small and gaining hands-on experience rather than remaining on the sidelines.
This episode stands out for its practical insights on how businesses of all sizes can leverage Xiaohongshu's unique community-driven approach to marketing, with actionable advice for both established brands and aspiring entrepreneurs.
Frameworks & Models
- The Four Levels of Brand Marketing on Xiaohongshu:
CC's strategic framework for brands at different growth stages:
- Level 1.0 (Seed Awareness): Creating quality content that spreads organically through the "three transformations" (visual, emotional, value)
- Level 2.0 (Amplified Reach): Publishing good content with paid traffic amplification, suitable for startups with products but no brand story
- Level 3.0 (Segmented Strategy): For brands with 1-5 billion RMB revenue, creating different content for different product scenarios and target audiences
- Level 4.0 (Co-creation & Innovation): For brands over 5 billion RMB revenue, finding inspiration in community interests, co-creating with users, and identifying unmet needs "It's difficult to have a one-size-fits-all approach. You need to match your strategy to your enterprise's lifecycle stage and competitive advantages."
- The Human-Feeling Marketing Model:
CC's approach to creating emotionally resonant content:
- Scene Integration: Embedding products in realistic life scenarios rather than isolated displays
- Emotional Connection: Tapping into deep emotional needs and desires rather than functional benefits
- Authentic Storytelling: Using genuine, relatable narratives that reflect real user experiences
- Sensory Engagement: Creating content that engages multiple senses and triggers emotional responses "Cold, factual narration doesn't interest anyone. Only scenes with a sense of human presence can truly stimulate people's desire to buy or connect."
- The Three K's Marketing Framework:
The evolution of influencer marketing on Xiaohongshu:
- KLS (Key Opinion Leaders): Traditional influencers with large followings and professional status
- KLC (Key Opinion Consumers): Regular users who share authentic product experiences and recommendations
- KS (Key Staff): Employees who become authentic advocates for their own company's products and services "KS is still in its red phase. Many companies spend money on KLS and KLC but overlook that their employees are their most important advocates."
- The 2025 Success Formula:
CC's framework for Xiaohongshu marketing success:
- Good Product: Foundation of quality, appropriate pricing, or unique value proposition
- Good Content: Visually appealing with compelling copy that either plants desire or drives conversion
- Good Blogger: Authentic creators with genuine expertise and trust in their specific domains "Good product plus good content plus good blogger is our opportunity to capture the remaining traffic dividends in 2025 or 2026."
- The Subdivision Opportunity Model:
CC's approach to finding business opportunities in competitive markets:
- Large Category Selection: Choose established categories with proven demand
- Interest Point Identification: Find emerging consumer interests within the category
- Segment Targeting: Focus on specific user groups with particular needs
- Product Innovation: Develop specialized products that address these细分 needs "Every business can be redone. As long as you innovate in product power and细分 audience interest points, there are opportunities."
Insights
- The Significance of Slogan Evolution:
Xiaohongshu's change from "Your Life Guide" to "Your Life Interest Community" represents more than just marketing copy. It signals a fundamental shift toward creating a more participatory, co-creative platform where users are active contributors rather than passive consumers of content. This evolution reflects the platform's recognition that its value lies in the connections and interactions between users with shared interests.
- The Power of Human-Feeling Marketing:
CC emphasizes that successful Xiaohongshu marketing moves beyond product features to create emotional resonance through authentic human experiences. The example of the baby blanket advertisement, which focused on a mother's concern for her child rather than the blanket's technical specifications, demonstrates how emotional storytelling creates deeper connections and drives engagement more effectively than traditional product-focused marketing.
- The Rise of Employee Advocacy (KS):
One of the most significant trends CC identifies is the emergence of Key Staff (KS) as a powerful marketing channel. Unlike traditional influencer marketing, KS leverages employees' authentic knowledge and passion for their products, creating more credible and relatable content. This approach not only reduces marketing costs but also builds stronger connections with consumers who value authenticity.
- Emerging Business Opportunities for 2025:
CC identifies three fast-growing sectors that present significant opportunities: children's outdoor clothing (driven by demographic shifts and changing needs), crystal and jewelry accessories (reflecting emotional and spiritual needs), and life services (particularly for local businesses). These trends reveal how changing consumer behaviors create new market opportunities even in established categories.
- The Death of the "Magic Formula":
Contrary to the belief in universal marketing formulas, CC stresses that success on Xiaohongshu requires customized strategies based on a brand's lifecycle stage, competitive advantages, and target audience. This insight challenges the notion of one-size-fits-all marketing approaches and emphasizes the need for strategic thinking and adaptation.
- The Importance of Starting Small:
CC emphasizes that businesses don't need massive budgets to succeed on Xiaohongshu. Local restaurants spending just 10,000-20,000 RMB can see meaningful returns, demonstrating that the platform offers opportunities for businesses of all sizes. This insight democratizes access to effective marketing and encourages experimentation.
- The Shift from Quantity to Quality:
The conversation reveals how marketing focus has shifted from reaching the largest possible audience to creating deeper connections with specific segments. This reflects broader changes in consumer behavior, where authenticity and relevance matter more than reach and frequency.
- The Value of Community Insights:
CC highlights how Xiaohongshu's community provides valuable insights for product development and innovation. Brands that listen to community discussions and co-create with users can identify unmet needs and develop products that resonate more effectively with their target audiences.
- The Enduring Power of Good Products:
Despite the emphasis on marketing strategies, CC repeatedly stresses that product quality remains fundamental. In an era of material abundance, consumers are increasingly selective, and only products that offer genuine value or unique benefits can succeed in the long term.
- The Need for Active Participation:
CC's advice to "first come out" emphasizes the importance of active participation and learning by doing. Rather than waiting for the perfect strategy or timing, businesses and creators should start experimenting on the platform, learn from their experiences, and iterate based on real-world feedback.
Quotes
- On Xiaohongshu's Evolution: "Interest community is more about equal interaction. Because I'm interested in pets, or interested in daily chemicals, or interested in beauty, we share and find people with the same interests, then communicate and co-create here."
- On Human-Feeling Marketing: "Cold, factual narration doesn't interest anyone. Only scenes with a sense of human presence can truly stimulate people's desire to buy or connect."
- On Employee Advocacy: "KS is still in its red phase. Many companies spend money on KLS and KLC but overlook that their employees are their most important advocates. When employees become advocates, they become KS."
- On Marketing Strategy: "It's difficult to have a one-size-fits-all approach. You need to match your strategy to your enterprise's lifecycle stage and competitive advantages."
- On the 2025 Formula: "Good product plus good content plus good blogger is our opportunity to capture the remaining traffic dividends in 2025 or 2026."
- On Business Opportunities: "Every business can be redone. As long as you innovate in product power and细分 audience interest points, there are opportunities."
- On Starting Small: "It's not that you must invest millions or tens of millions annually on Xiaohongshu. Investing 100,000 or 200,000 can also help you acquire the customer group you want in your segment."
- On Taking Action: "When you're out in the world, you first have to come out. If you're always observing Xiaohongshu marketing or all media platform marketing, you'll never have opportunities."
- On Product Quality: "Good product is the most fundamental. If the product isn't good, everything else is wasted. Today's users aren't lacking in materials, we're only lacking good products or products that suit us."
- On Market Opportunities: "Where can you find a business that can easily do one or two hundred million and earn several million or tens of millions? I think as long as you grasp future consumers' interest points and find needs, every business is worth doing again."
Habits
- Practice Human-Feeling Marketing:
Create content that resonates emotionally with audiences:
- Focus on authentic life scenarios rather than product features
- Highlight emotional needs and desires that your product addresses
- Use storytelling that reflects real user experiences
- Incorporate sensory elements that create immersive experiences
- Implement Employee Advocacy Programs:
Leverage employees as authentic brand advocates:
- Identify employees who are passionate about your products
- Provide training and guidelines for maintaining brand consistency
- Create incentive structures that reward quality content creation
- Implement systems for content review and amplification
- Adopt Lifecycle-Based Marketing Strategies:
Match your approach to your brand's development stage:
- Assess your current revenue and market position
- Identify your competitive advantages (product, story, supply chain, marketing)
- Select the appropriate marketing level (1.0-4.0) based on your stage
- Evolve your strategy as your brand grows and matures
- Focus on Niche Market Opportunities:
Find and develop细分 market opportunities within larger categories:
- Identify large categories with proven consumer demand
- Research emerging consumer interests and behaviors
- Develop specialized products for specific user segments
- Create targeted marketing that speaks directly to niche audiences
- Start Small and Experiment:
Begin with manageable investments and learn from experience:
- Start with small budgets to test different approaches
- Monitor results and gather data on what works
- Iterate and refine your strategy based on real feedback
- Gradually scale successful approaches
- Prioritize Product Quality:
Ensure your products meet genuine consumer needs:
- Focus on quality materials and craftsmanship
- Price products appropriately for the target market
- Identify and emphasize unique value propositions
- Continuously gather and incorporate user feedback
- Engage in Community Co-creation:
Involve users in product development and marketing:
- Monitor community discussions for insights and ideas
- Encourage user-generated content and reviews
- Create opportunities for users to contribute to product development
- Build relationships with active community members
- Develop Multi-Sensory Content:
Create content that engages multiple senses and emotions:
- Invest in high-quality visual elements (images, videos)
- Craft compelling copy that tells emotional stories
- Incorporate elements that trigger sensory memories
- Focus on creating immersive experiences rather than just information
Sources
Primary Sources
- "代表作: Vol. 038:小红书换slogan的背后,藏着哪些新趋势?" podcast episode
- CC's experience working with over 6,000 brands on Xiaohongshu
- Zhuo'er Shuke's data and insights on Xiaohongshu marketing trends
Xiaohongshu Platform Evolution
- Slogan change from "Your Life Guide" to "Your Life Interest Community"
- Platform's shift toward community co-creation and user participation
- Evolution of user-brand relationships on the platform
Marketing Frameworks
- Four levels of brand marketing on Xiaohongshu (1.0-4.0)
- Human-feeling marketing (人感营销) approach
- The Three K's framework: KLS, KLC, and KS
- 2025 success formula: Good Product + Good Content + Good Blogger
Emerging Trends and Opportunities
- Children's outdoor clothing market growth
- Crystal and jewelry accessories sector expansion
- Life services sector opportunities for local businesses
- Employee advocacy (KS) as a marketing channel
Case Studies and Examples
- Baby blanket advertisement demonstrating human-feeling marketing
- Large enterprise using employee advocacy for systematic marketing
- Outdoor clothing brand finding success in细分 markets
- Local restaurant achieving results with modest investment
Resources
Core Podcast
- 代表作: Vol. 038:小红书换slogan的背后,藏着哪些新趋势? - Xiaoyuzhou FM
- Apple Podcasts - Apple Podcasts Link
Xiaohongshu Marketing Resources
- Zhuo'er Shuke - CC's marketing agency specializing in Xiaohongshu strategies
- Xiaohongshu Business Resources - Official platform resources for brands and creators
- Human-Feeling Marketing Guide - Framework for creating emotionally resonant content
Employee Advocacy Tools
- KS Management Systems - Tools for managing employee advocacy programs
- Employee Content Creation Guidelines - Best practices for employee-generated content
- Incentive Structure Templates - Frameworks for rewarding employee advocates
Market Research Resources
- Children's Clothing Market Reports - Data on the growing children's outdoor clothing sector
- Crystal and Jewelry Market Analysis - Insights into the accessories market growth
- Life Services Sector Research - Information on local business opportunities on Xiaohongshu
Content Creation Resources
- Xiaohongshu Content Best Practices - Guidelines for creating effective platform content
- Visual Storytelling Tools - Resources for creating engaging visual content
- Emotional Marketing Frameworks - Approaches to creating emotionally resonant marketing
Business Strategy Resources
- Niche Market Identification Tools - Resources for finding细分 market opportunities
- Product Development Frameworks - Approaches to creating products for specific segments
- Small Business Marketing Guides - Strategies for businesses with limited budgets
Conclusion
"代表作: What New Trends Are Hidden Behind Xiaohongshu's Replacement of Slogan?" offers a comprehensive analysis of the platform's evolution and what it means for businesses and marketers in 2025. Through CC's expert insights, the episode reveals how Xiaohongshu's shift from "Your Life Guide" to "Your Life Interest Community" reflects deeper changes in consumer behavior and marketing effectiveness.
The conversation provides valuable frameworks for understanding where brands fit in their development journey and how to match marketing strategies to their specific stage and advantages. CC's emphasis on human-feeling marketing, employee advocacy, and the combination of good products, content, and bloggers offers a roadmap for success on the platform.
Perhaps most importantly, the episode democratizes success on Xiaohongshu, showing that businesses of all sizes can find opportunities by starting small, focusing on authentic connections, and leveraging the platform's unique community-driven approach. In an era of increasing competition and rising costs, these insights provide both hope and practical guidance for those looking to succeed on one of China's most influential social platforms.
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